I have been trafficked 7 times

By Chris Jung

I have been trafficked 7 times

 Ziaur Rahman (25) left Myanmar when he was only two months old. Unbearable conditions in Myanmar compelled his parents to flee to Bangladesh and this was the start of a very difficult life. Now, Ziaur is a victim of human trafficking; unable to return to his mother where she still lives in a refugee camp, Bangladesh.

His ordeal started in October 2014 when human traffickers kidnapped him outside Kutupalong Registered Refugee Camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. They covered his face, tied his hands and beat him before putting him on a boat where he was sold to other traffickers. There were around 300 people on the boat along with about 10 traffickers. The horrible things that some of the traffickers were Rohingyas.

His ordeal continued when the boat landed in Thailand. Ziaur has been trafficked 7 times before he ended up in Penang, Malaysia. The traffickers in Penang demanded RM8,000(approximately 1,965 USD) from that he was unable to pay. They starved him. After three days, Ziaur escaped and made his way to the UNHCR office in Kuala Lumpur where he was issued with an asylum seeker card.

Under Malaysian law, refugees can not work legally even with the UNHCR Refugee Card. He has held a number of jobs illegally but was never paid what he deserves. This opens the door for further abuse of his rights and inhumane work and living conditions by employers. Ziaur’s refugee status means that even after escaping from the traffickers or ethnic cleansing in Myanmar, he will continue to be exploited by those around him.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman is a part-time interpreter in United Nations High Commission For Refugees(UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur , waiting for a bus to go to work at Sungai Way bus station in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziar Rahman walks to the United Nations High Commission For Refugees(UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with other Rohingya refugees.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Rohingya refugees wait in front of the office to hear help or advice from the United Nations High Commission For Refugees(UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman is providing interpretation service at refugees shelter in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur. A Red shirt woman talks about difficulties of her life as Myanmar's Rohingya refugee woman in local language. Ziaur Rahman often provides interpretation service to NGO as ad-hoc basis. The blue shirt man is from NGO listening his interpretation.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman helps refugee woman to buy a glasses at Pudu plaza in Kuala Lumpur. Most of refugees are having problem with language barriers in daily life. English and Malay are common language in Kuala Lumpur.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Rohingya woman sits while undergoing an eye test with a phoropter in the opticians. It's supported by local NGO.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman's wife Zohora Begum(20) is preparing to go out. They live in a small room with a monthly rent of 300 RM(approximately 74 USD).

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur, his wife and daughter take a bus to back home. He wishes to get a small motorbike but as a refugee in Malaysia he can't get a driving licenses because he doesn't have a passport.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur, his wife and daughter walk home from after getting off the bus.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur, his wife and daughter rent a room in a house made of wooden planks.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur and Zohora talk about food to be purchased at the market for dinner.

His monthly salary is about 800 to 1000 RM(approximately 196 to 245 USD).

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Zohora trim vegetables for dinner.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Zohora maks dough. She tries to make traditional bread with the dough.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman change his clothes after work at home while his wife Zohora is cooking dinner in Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Their simple dinner. rice, chicken curry, fried eggs and some fresh vegetables.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur and his friend Hasan are participating in leadership education conducted by ASEAN Youth Leaders Association - Malaysia. Ziaur is seeking for more educations, and trying to participate in most of educations offered by NGOs in Malaysia.He believes that only education can change the situation of refugees.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur attends the KL International Youth Discourse workshop at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has a high desire for education.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur takes a selfie with Prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak during KL International Youth Discourse at Putra World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Outside view of his new house in Kuala Lumpur. Recently he moved into a small house in Kuala Lumpur with help from people nearby.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Zohora feeds her husband, Ziaur, home-cooked hot Singara(fried dish with a savoury filling) at their home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

I have been trafficked 7 times ©Chris Jung

Ziaur Rahman has 12 months boy born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and 3 years old girl born in a refugees camp, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Recently they moved into a small house in Kuala Lumpur with help from people nearby. There are many financial issues with him since he has no stable job. He has overcome many ordeals until now, and will overcome any ordeals in the future for his family. Ziaur is dreaming of living together with his mother in Malaysia. She is still in a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.